Pre College SI Choices?

[ABTgirl14]

** I have been to summer programs for 4 summers now and I felt as if I have thoroughly enjoyed them all and improved a lot. However, two years ago I switched to a different studio that offers better training and is in a more professional atmosphere. I have already started doing auditions, however my teacher feels that I should stay home this summer and go to my studios 6 week summer intensive. Since I am 16 (17 in May), my teacher feels that there are certain things that I need to work on that she could help me with because she already knows me and I would get more attention and help to my weaknesses. My question is, since I am getting older, how will not going to a summer intensive affect me in the long run? I want to go to a college and major in ballet (such as butler or indiana) so I won't be auditioning for companies anytime soon. I am really in a situation because I love going away to programs and getting to take class with new teachers, meet new friends, and enjoy the experience, but I'm wondering if staying home would be more beneficial for me? Thanks in advance and I apologize for this lengthy post.

 

**This post was split off from another topic in the General SI forum.

Edited January 23, 2006 by BW

[Guest Ballet626]

Ms. Leigh,

Please excuse this if it is not posted in the appropriate forum and feel to move it if necessary! My daughter is a junior in high school and she is beginning to formulate her plans for post high school. She would really like to dance with a small company at some point, however we know that she will need some additional training post high school and she will be choosing the college route. My question is related to what she should do this summer. She has been accepted and attended some competitive SI's in the past: Boston, Washington, and Houston, however I am wondering if she should try for smaller more attainable companies this year or even for the college SI's that are offered by the performing arts colleges to which she will be applying next year and auditiong for this time next year. What is your advice on this? Does it really matter in the grand scheme of things? She is thinking of auditioning for an SI that is offered by one of her top college picks in order to experience the campus/faculty and hopefully been seen and let them get to know her prior to her audition next year. I know that you are experienced in the company and the college area and any advice that you could give us would really be appreciated!

[Victoria Leigh]

Which college program and how long is their SI? I am not really very familiar with SI programs in colleges, as this seems to be a relatively new thing. If she has the opportunity to be at Boston, Washington, Houston, ABT, etc., I would think this would be better, but it's hard to know without knowing more about the program and the faculty in the college.

[Guest Ballet626]

It is NCSA and it is a five week program.

Edited January 23, 2006 by Ballet626

[Victoria Leigh]

Is it a separate program from NCSA's regular SI? Is the faculty the same?

[Guest Ballet626]

Yes, the SI faculty is the same as their year round - Hayden, Cordell, Smith, Conovor etc...

[Victoria Leigh]

Sounds okay to me.

[Pierrette]

This doesn't directly address the question of "Which Direction" in terms of SI's, however I'd like to add that it's never too early to start making college visits with your DKs who are possibly college-bound. The time is basically RIGHT NOW, not just in the summer, to check out college dance programs, as it's only during the school year when you can go to see performances, talk to current students, and possibly arrange to take classes during the regular semester.

 

Sometimes you can kill two birds at once by combining your regular SI audition travels with college visits. If the SI program that is on your list happens to hold an audition at a college you'd like to check out, consider making the trip out, even if it's not in your local area. Most likely, many of the dance majors at that college will take the audition class just for the heck of it, so that is a way to meet them and talk to them in person on a weekend day.

 

There really is no substitute for checking out college dance programs while school is in session.

[Taradriver]

In keeping with Pierette's post, many colleges & universities are in session throughout the month of April, when high schools have their Spring/Easter Break. Perfect time to go visit! (Colleges tend to do Spring Break in March.)

[Guest Ballet626]

I guess the real issue is do you send your college bound dancer to a "big name SI" when there may be more to gain by sending them to a SI conected to their college of choice ? I know it depends on the college and the reputation, faculty etc..., however the reality is that the really good college ballet programs are competitive and will attending an affiliated SI give the applicant an edge?

[BW]

Doesn't the "edge" come from the training and the training from the teachers? Perhaps this is what one needs to research - as in who is teaching and which college intensive? Can you get this kind of information?

[e'smom]

Just a comment with respect to IU - reading the bios of the leads of last year's spring performance - none of them mention coming to IU in the summer, so it doesn't look like that would help with admission. NCSA however would probably be a good choice.

[Guest Ballet626]

You are correct - I think that faculty is the key to all ballet training - whether it be year round, SI or college. And by saying that I don't mean guest faculty, but rather the full time faculty. Obviously attending any SI one time is no guarantee on future admissionsto either next year's SI or the college program.

[Hans]

One thing to be aware of is that colleges sometimes list their faculty in misleading ways on brochures, making it seem as if guest teachers are permanent faculty members. It's worth a visit to the school's website (many have faculty directories) to see who is really there year-round--if the main faculty isn't good, there's no reason to attend the school just because Julie Kent taught there for a few weeks three years ago.

[Victoria Leigh]

** I have been to summer programs for 4 summers now and I felt as if I have thoroughly enjoyed them all and improved a lot. However, two years ago I switched to a different studio that offers better training and is in a more professional atmosphere. I have already started doing auditions, however my teacher feels that I should stay home this summer and go to my studios 6 week summer intensive. Since I am 16 (17 in May), my teacher feels that there are certain things that I need to work on that she could help me with because she already knows me and I would get more attention and help to my weaknesses. My question is, since I am getting older, how will not going to a summer intensive affect me in the long run? I want to go to a college and major in ballet (such as butler or indiana) so I won't be auditioning for companies anytime soon. I am really in a situation because I love going away to programs and getting to take class with new teachers, meet new friends, and enjoy the experience, but I'm wondering if staying home would be more beneficial for me? Thanks in advance and I apologize for this lengthy post.

 

**This post was split off from another topic in the General SI forum.

 

ABTgirl, I'm so sorry! I missed this post and all the posts after it went off on a different idea.

 

I do not think that staying home will hurt your chances, however, at your age I also think that if you want to go away, and get accepted to a good program, then it should be your decision. There are things to be gained from either situation, and you will need to weigh those for yourself.